Shanghai Masters 1000—China

No. 6 seed Nikolay Davydenko captured the third Masters 1000 title of his career on Sunday, defeating top seed Rafael Nadal, 7-6, 6-3.

Davydenko, who has been in scintillating form since Wimbledon, won his four title of season in two hours, and three minutes.

The 75-minute opening set was highlighted by each player breaking serve on one occasion. Davydenko drew first blood in the third game of the match by wrong footing Nadal with a swinging forehand volley.

Nadal quickly responded by breaking Davydenko in the eighth game of the set, using his steal will to carry him to a 6-5 lead. 

Davydenko remained poised, drawing off his sensational week of tennis which featured dismissing Novak Djokovic, and Fernandoo Gonzalez.

After saving a 0-30 lead to force a first set tiebreak, Davydenko's court positioning took over proceedings. The Russian's killer backhand was the catalyst to his impressive play, allowing for a decisive tiebreak win.

"I think a little bit was lucky, but mostly I was playing very well today," said Davydenko.

"[At] four all in [the] first set I was feeling like I [was] losing my chance to win [the] first set because he came back. I started to make more mistakes and felt tired already. Like yesterday and today I played very well in [the] tie-break, winning, and then I felt I had [a] chance, fighting [in the] second set."

With the first set on his side, Davydenko continued his fine play early on, breaking Nadal to lead 4-2. The Spaniard was visibly discouraged with his level of play, readily hitting his groundstrokes off his back foot.

After stretching his second set lead to 5-2, Davydenko capitalized on his first match point while serving at 5-3.

The pair engaged in a dramatic 13-shot rally, only to have Nadal hit a forehand long. The Spaniard instantly challenged the call, leaving Davydenko in an anxious crouched position awaiting shot spots response.

After the call was confirmed to be long, Davydenko exploded into a frenzy of excitement after claiming the inaugural Shanghai Masters 1000 event.

Davydenko, who edged closer to tying his head-to-head with Nadal which now lies at 4-3, concluded his productive run in Asia which saw the 28-year-old add to his Kuala Lumpur title by winning in Shanghai.

"I think I was a little bit lucky, but mostly I was playing very well today. I did a good job in three weeks in Asia," said Davydenko.

"On the final day, last match, you want to give everything in this match, 100 per cent what you can do."

"And really I lost five finals and I won 17. That was my 18th ATP World Tour title. Now it's really amazing. Really, in finals I play very well."

Davydenko earned $616,500 for his efforts, and captured 1000 ATP World Tour points.

The points total is of particular importance to the Russian, who is vying for one of the three remaining spots in the Barclays ATP World Tour finals. Davydenko now stands at a clear 420 points ahead of Fernando Verdasco, who is in the eighth position.

Davydenko will continue in his efforts to qualify for the season finale in London, traveling to his native Russia to participate in the Kremlin Cup next week.

Davydenko drew countryman Marat Safin in the first round, and will look to improve on his 49-13 win-loss record for the year.

Nadal will head back to Mallorca, beginning preparations for the upcoming Masters 1000 event in Paris, as well as the Barclays ATP World Tour final.

The Spaniard, who fell to 61-9 on the season, expressed his optimism in regaining his championship form.

"I just can say I am going to work hard to be at my best as soon as possible and I am not seeing myself very far off that,” said Nadal.

“I would love to have a title, but if I am still playing like this in Paris and London, it’s difficult, sure,” added Nadal.

“The best players are there. But in Paris I expect to have another chance to play a good tournament. And if you are there all the time semi-finals, final, you’re going to win.

“I don’t know when, but you’re going to win.”

Nadal, who will stay in hot pursuit of his tour-leading sixth title of the season, dropped to 61-9, while picking up 600 ATP World Tour points.

That wraps up yet another week on tour. Please check back shortly for daily coverage from next weeks events in Moscow, Russia, and Stockholm, Sweden.

Cheers.